I love CW. I enjoy both International Morsecode and Japanese Morsecode. As a non-native English speaker, CW chat by English language is a big challenge for me. But QRQ chat by English sounds very cool!

2010-11-23

Japan will drop Morsecode proficiency test for Amateur Radio completely

On Nov. 22, 2010, Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) announced a request for Public Commentconcerinig drop of Morsecode proficiency test in the amateurradio license exam.http://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_news/s-news/01kiban09_01000007.htmlThe Morsecode proficiency test for amateur radio has been relaxed as follows;

In 1996, Japanese Morsecode was dropped from 1st Class requirements.

In 2005, Reqiured Speed dropped to 25cpm both for 1st (ex. 60cpm) and for 2nd Class (ex. 45cpm), and Test deleted for 3rd Class (ex.25cpm).

And this time, All proficiency test will be deleted.

MIC will accept public comments until end of Dec, 2010, thenit may take another few months to be finalized and become offical.(guess it'll be around spring in 2011)